Dave:--My Grandma was a very religious woman who had great faith in the power of prayer to help during trying times. A laying on of hands was a common thing for those particularly difficult problems that seemed to require an extra nudge. A temporary fix for a badly leaking water heater, would qualify for the second of Grandmas' options. If you have little or no luck with this leap of faith, there are other alternatives to be considered.1) Shut the leaking heater off, and remove it from the premises, and accelerate your installation plans.2)Find a Friend that has a working water heater, and is willing to have you as a house guest until the new heater is up and running.3)Don't do any of the above and get a shot gun so you can shoot those big black birds that will soon be circling your house.TEX...PS.If you opt for no. 2), grandma always used to say "A friend in need is a .....Drag"